Tanoto Foundation Supports Stroke Support Station’s Caregiver-Focused Programme

SINGAPORE – Media
OutReach – 3 November 2021 – Independent philanthropy
organisation Tanoto Foundation is supporting Stroke Support Station (S3) in
developing a programme to further engage and empower stroke family caregivers
in the rehabilitation and reintegration journeys of their loved ones.

Currently, S3 provides caregivers with information or assistance
regarding stroke resources and referrals to the appropriate agencies. It also
provides care management and counselling for stroke survivors and caregivers
facing financial stresses, grief and loss, as well as subsidies so they still
get access to rehabilitation services. The expanded programme will focus on the
family members of stroke patients and help them to overcome mental and physical
challenges of caring for their loved ones.

Ms Belinda Tanoto, member of the Board of Trustees at Tanoto
Foundation, which was founded by Sukanto Tanoto and his wife Tinah
Bingei Tanoto in 1981, said: “A quality health span matters for all
families and communities, and this is something we hold close to our hearts as
we support research and partnerships through our medical philanthropy work.
Because we recognise that many caregivers of stroke survivors are family
members, we are now exploring with our friends at S3 family-centred solutions
and programmes to empower these caregivers and promote family harmony and
filial piety.”

While people tend to associate stroke with the elderly, according
to the Singapore Stroke Registry Report, there has been a significant increase
in stroke incidences in the age groups of 15-29 and 40-49.

As most strokes occur suddenly, stroke survivors are left with a
sudden loss of ability to perform certain tasks such as walking to the bathroom
or getting dressed, and need a lot of physical assistance for support. They
also have to deal with their grief over their loss of function, confidence and
independence.

With an aim to improve the quality of life, Tanoto Foundation supported
S3 as a pioneer donor in 2015. Launched in 2016, S3
is Singapore’s first dedicated wellness centre which helps patients recover psychosocially and emotionally,
while providing social-emotional support to caregivers. It has
programmes and activities to help stroke survivors regain mobility and acquire
stress relief techniques. It also provides caregivers with sharing and group
counselling sessions.

Tanoto Foundation has operations in Indonesia, China and
Singapore. Part of its human capital development work also includes medical
philanthropy and healthcare advocacy. It supports medical research in diseases
prevalent in Asia as well as research in early childhood development and
maternal health.

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